The Pequot Lakes Economic Development Commission (EDC) is looking into how and why the city’s two taxing districts are taxed at different ratios.

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When the city and Sibley Township merged in 2002, the annexation agreement set an urban (city of Pequot Lakes) and rural (Sibley Township) tax differential.

Mark Jurchen, chair of the EDC, is reviewing what happened during the annexation to cause the different taxing districts, whether it can be changed and how much tax capacity comes from each district.

Jurchen planned to report to the EDC on this issue this month.

In addition to the taxing districts, city staff, boards, commissions and the council are beginning to work on other visioning goals the council set earlier this year. Following is a update on the progress toward the goals:

• Sibley Lake Park: Mayor Nancy Adams and Park Commission Chair Cathy Malecha developed a survey to determine what people would like to see at the park. The survey was distributed to area residents and is on the city’s website at www.pequotlakes-mn.gov/.

The Park Commission will walk through the park at the end of this month to generate ideas for park improvements.

• Mayo Lake Park Preserve: The Park Commission is working with area residents and others who are familiar with the land. The commission’s goal is to develop trails in the park this spring.

• Branding/marketing: Adams is working with the chamber to research the idea of placing banners throughout the city.

• County road turnbacks to city: Staff has begun preliminary steps to identify the roads that could be turned back to the city as part of the Highway 371 expansion project.

• City gateways: The Planning Commission has begun studying County Road 11 as it relates to becoming the gateway to the city in connection with the Highway 371 expansion project.